Last edited by hideki elixir on 2017/10/11 03:18
Having a 'Straight-Out-Of-Camera' shot is a great feeling for every photographers out there. Not only it saves time in doing image corrections/adjustments, but it also determines how one skillfully captures a scene in a perfect way i.e shooting correctly for a less or no editing. But there really are times when we do not have a hold to the situation or the scene especially if one shot it quickly or randomly that it needs some minor photo adjustments. In addition to that, a simple capture can still become eyecatching if corrected or edited properly. With that, I'll be sharing some quick points in basic photo editing.
1. Straighten
Straightening in post processing can be actually avoided if composition was done properly prior on taking a shot. On the other hand, most crooked images are usually needed to be straightened along the horizon.
The importance of straight lines lies on the sense of visual balance it creates. Though, it's a different story when lines are tilted intentionally to create an interesting composition. Otherwise, baldly aligned lines would just only mean odd angles. Just take example of picture frames hanging on the wall - the best way to show it to your viewers is when it's hanged correctly and well aligned, and not crooked or tilted.
On the sample image above, I did a little straightening on the vertical and horizontal lines of the left image to make it more visually pleasing.
2. Crop
Cropping helps improve photo composition, focus to your subject, removes unwanted areas, and change aspect ratio that is suitable to the composition.
Cropping out unnecessary parts of the original image to give depth and focus to the subject.
Crop to focus and place the subject into the center. One can also crop the subject following the rule of the thirds to improve photo composition
Just be careful not to overcrop photos especially mobile shots as it tends to degrade photo quality.
3. Fix/Adjust Exposure
Sometimes we captured photos that are either underexposed or overexposed which leads to the need of correcting the overall exposure of the shot. Checking the Histogram of the image can give you the idea of how the image is exposed. It is underexposed if more or all prominent peaks are on the left side of the graph, and overexposed if on the right.
There are various ways in correcting the exposure. One of the easiest way is to play with the exposure control on your photo editing apps until you achieve it correctly. However, when increased, it tends to blow out highlights as it affects all levels of the image. When this occurs, highlight recovery can be used to correct the blown out highlights. Another option is by adjusting the brightness, and unlike exposure it preserves highlights as it adjusts the midtones.
Notice the blown out highlights on the Top left part of the sky when exposure is increased as compared with adjusting the brightness.
Other options are adjusting the contrast, highlights, shadows, whites or blacks. As a general reminder, one should watch and retain details upon using these options. But sometimes it's up to you to play with the adjustments. Others prefer an increased highlights or less shadows while it's a different touch for some.
4. Enhance Details
Enhancing details makes your image sharper. The usual options for this is using sharpen or structure. According to snapseed, sharpen enhances border details/contrasts of each object while structure improves textures without affecting the borders.
Just take note to not oversharpen the details as it just ruins the overall photo quality and sometimes makes noise visible. Just enough sharpen or structure adjustments to give crisp details which are natural to the eyes. Enhancing details also does not correct blurs or out of focus subjects.
5. Saturation
It defines color purity, intensity or concentration. This can be used to make the colors of your image pop/ become alive when increased, or turn dull when decreased which is up to personal preference.
On this image, I increased a little saturation to add more life to the scene as it gives a more natural skin tone and vibrance to the sea and sky. When increased a lot, the photo becomes oversaturated resulting to a burned skin tone.
6. Temperature
As the name suggests, adjusting temperature or white balance will either give your photo a cooler or a warmer tone. Depending on preference, temperature helps set the mood of the image.
7. Some quick edits that are not recommendable
As much as possible, try to avoid going to 'one tap photo effect' options that may ruin your shot as it does not give a realistic look.
One is the 'HDR effect' which most of the times not being effective in any photos turning it to 'over-HDR'.
Another is overpowering filters. I am also using filters to help set mood in my photos but I try to keep it subtle as much as possible. Using filters smartly can make your photos interesting, and on the other hand, using it not properly may look like just a layer added to the photo that doesn't complement well, thus overpowering.
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Post processing can make photos stand out or can ruin it if not done properly. As much as possible, keep it simple or subtle and natural or realistic. At the same time, learning how each options work on every photo editing app may help you achieve how you can have a personal touch in your shots. Experiment. It doesn't always need to work great for the first time. More importantly, this doesn't encourage every photographers that editing can magically solve photography errors and turn every image picture perfect. At the end, it still roots to the rule - shoot correctly and edit less.
 
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hideki elixir
AutumnHanz18
